Lincolnview’s Holden Price (above) goes to the basket for two of his 12 points against Tinora, while Gavin Evans (10) powers by a defender during Wednesday night’s game. The Lancers won the game 59-45. Photos courtesy of Hanna Young
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 11:01 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports DEFIANCE — Entering Wednesday’s Division VI district semifinal game at Defiance High School, it had been nearly two weeks since Crestview had played an actual basketball game. The second seeded Knights finished their regular season against Lima Central Catholic on February 20, then elected for sectional bye, which played them in the […]
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 11:00 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Crestview’s Hayden Perrott (0) and Hudson Perrott (5) went to the hoop during Wednesday’s Division VI district semifinal game against Ayersville. The Knights won the game 54-47. Wyatt Richardson/Van Wert independent
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 10:58 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
VW independent staff/submitted information Van Wert has been named a Top 25 Micropolitan Community in the United States by Site Selection magazine, marking a dramatic rise from last year, when the city was tied for 70th in the rankings. The annual rankings, released in the magazine’s March, 2026 issue, track new and expanded corporate facility […]
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 10:51 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information COLUMBUS — Starting this fall, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in Ohio won’t be able to use the food assistance benefits on sugary sodas. Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved Ohio’s request to prohibit the […]
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 10:49 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff Eight criminal defendants appeared in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court between Friday, February 27 and Wednesday, March 4. Judge Martin D. Burchfield presided over each of the hearings. Arraignments Anthony Bandolini, 36, of Ohio City, entered a not guilty plea to a charge of failure to provide notice of change of […]
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 10:49 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent staff/submitted information The Ohio Department of Development and Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission want to help alleviate the burden of costly energy bills this winter and keep more families warm. From now through March 31, income-eligible Ohioans can receive one-time assistance with their home energy bill through the Department of Development’s Home Energy […]
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 10:47 pm. FILED UNDER: News
VW independent sports The time has changed for Saturday’s Division IV district championship boys basketball game between Van Wert and Galion. Instead of 7 p.m., the game will tip off at 3 p.m., still at Paulding High School. The game will air live on WERT 1220AM/104.3FM.
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 7:08 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Submitted information COLUMBUS — The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association has announced the finalists for the 2026 Ohio Ms. Basketball Award. The winner will be announced next Thursday, March 12. Voting is currently underway for the 229 registered OPSMA members and will end at noon on Monday, March 9. The voting process for OPSMA members is […]
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 4:19 pm. FILED UNDER: Sports
Sonja Kay Knittle, 83, of Van Wert passed away Wednesday morning, March 4, 2026, at Hearth & Home of Van Wert. She was born on November 27, 1942, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late James Richard Ford and Alice Hope (Wilcox) Ford. On August 11, 1963, she married Gordon “Gordie” L. Knittle who survives […]
POSTED: 03/04/26 at 3:46 pm. FILED UNDER: Obituaries